Improvement in sectional trunks



.F. VAN SI'GLEN. Sectional Trunk;

No. 203,961. Patented May (21,1878.

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FERDINAND AN sIoLEN,'oF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT lN SECT|ON AL TRUNKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 203,961, dated May 21, 1878; application filed February 20, 1878.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I ,FERDINAND VAN SIcLEN of the city of New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented an Improved Sectional Trunk; and Ihereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, making a part of this specification.

This invention relates to an improved trunk, especially designed for the use of commercial travelers who sell goods of different kinds by sample, but which is also adaptedfor the use of tourists and others and its object is to construct the trunk in convenient sections, each of which is distinct and separate from the others, and maybe used as a valise for conveniencein carryin g its contents for exhibition or otherwise, and thus reducing expense and obviating the necessity of frequent unpacking; and also to construct the trunk in such a manner and of such material that it will be extremely light, and at the same time very strong and durable.

My invention consists in a trunk composed of two or more separate and distinct sections, each of which consists of a valise that may be readily detached flom the others and conveniently carried in the hand; also, in the combination, with two or more of said sections, of

suitable and novel devices for connecting the several sections so as to form atraveling-trunk and it further consists in a sectional trunk, as a new article of manufacture, made from what is known as vulcanized fiber, which is extremely light and strong, each of the several sections of which the trunk is composed comprising a separate valise, all of which is hereinafter particularly described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the several sections or valises connected so as to form a traveling-trunk. Fig. 2 is a similar view of one of the sections or valises detached from the others. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the under side of one of the valises.

Similar letters of reference indicate the same parts in all the several figures.

A A A represent the sections, which together form the trunk, any suitable number of which may be used for that purpose. Each of these several sections form a separate valise,

which may be readily detached from the rest and used separately, being provided for that purpose with a loop or handle, a, of ordinary construction, for convenience in carrying the same by hand; and they may, if desired, be provided with partitions to form two or more interior compartments, as is usual in ordinary valises. These valises or sections may be made of leather, wood, or other suitable material; but for the purpose of combining strength and durability with lightness, I prefer to form them of what is known as vulcanized fiber --a material which is extremely strong, hard, and durable, and at the same time very light, and which may be molded into the proper form in the process of manufacture.

b represents the ordinary rim or frame, covering the joint Where the two parts of the valise come together, and c are ordinary hinges for connecting the same. Each of the valises may be provided with a suitable catch or look.

For the purpose'of connecting the several valises so as to form a trunk, I employ the following-described devices d d represent springcatches of any suitable construction, secured upon each end and near the edges of the valises in such position as to connect those adjoining each other, one part of the catch being attached to one valise and the other part to the adjoining valise. One or more of such catches may be employed on each end of adjoining valises to connect the same; and by placing two or more of the valises side by side and fastening the said catches, a trunk is formed, as shown in Fig. 1. e e are anglepieces or clips, secured at each corner of a valise to receive the corners of the one next adjoining, for the purpose of assisting in keeping the valises in position and preventing them from slipping on each other. These anglepieces or clips may be made of vulcanized fiber or other suitable material. Handles m for the trunk, one at each end, may be formed of a strip of leather, vulcanized fiber, or other suitable material, secured by means of loops n, attached to the outer side of each of the end valises, for convenience in lifting the trunk.

The valises above mentioned may be put together by rivets in the usual manner; but, as the vulcanized fiber can be molded into the desired form, I prefer to make them in this manner, thus avoiding the labor and expense of riveting, and obtaining greater lightness without any diminution of strength. When my improved trunk is made in this manner, its weight will not exceed one-half of that of a trunk'of equal strength and capacity made in the ordinary manner and of any of the different kinds of material ordinarily used for making trunks. l

My improved trunk is also especially well adapted for use as a sample-trunk, to be sent by express with samples of goods for the inspection of customers, by reason of its extreme lightness and the facility with which different kinds of goods may be kept separate from each other in the several valises; and by its general use the services of commercial travelers might, in a great measure, be dispensed with.

\Vhat I claim as my invention is- 1. The improved trunk herein described, composed of two or more separate and distinct ,vulcanized fiber, and composed of two or more sections, A, connected together by springcatches d, or similar means, each of the said sections being detachable, and forming a separate and complete valise, which can be used separately, all as hereinbefore described, and for the purposes set forth.

FERDINAND VAN SIOLEN. Witnesses:

Gno. W. VANSIOKLEN, Tnno. H. FRIEND. 

